Funding Set Aside For Additional Tulsa Fire Department Unit Specializing In Mental Health Response

The Tulsa Fire Department is receiving additional funding to help respond to mental health calls in the city.

TFD's Alternative Response Team 2 is getting more than $600,000 to help expand its services to the community.

The funding comes from a settlement reached with Walgreens regarding the drugstore chain's distribution of opioids, and will help cover the cost of two additional positions, supplies as well as a new vehicle.

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The Tulsa City Council approved the funding last week.

Similar to the ART-1 team, ART-2 will provide mental health resources through what the Tulsa Fire Department calls an "innovative first responder model."

ART-2 will serve those who are homeless in downtown Tulsa, and connect people suffering from a mental health crisis with community services to get them the help they need.

Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker said the team will conduct wellness checks, provides hygiene kits and emergency food and water to those who need it.

The ART-1 team said it responded to 439 calls in 2023, averaging about 4 calls a day.

The program was able to help four people find permanent housing and has given 57 referrals to social services.

The Tulsa Fire Department says the ART-2 unit will also help decrease the 911 call volume for fire stations in downtown Tulsa.